Brake beam



Nov. 30, 1948. F. SCHAEFER 2,455,316

BRAKE BEAM Filed June 26, 1946 I i 2 Sheets-Sheet l ITNESSES: INVENTOR FREDEEIC \S'CHHEFEE.

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Nov. 30, 1948 F. $CHAE FER 2,455,316

BRAKE BEAM Filed June 26, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 WITNESSES: T :6. lNVENTbR v FREDEEIC SCHGdFE, w, Mm

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ATTORNEYS.

Patented Nov. 30, 1948 U TEDfsTATEs PATENT OFFICE BRAKE BEAM I Frederic Schaefer, Pittsburgh, Pa. Application June 26, 1946, Serial No. 679,320

6 Claims. (01. 188-228) T This invention relates to railway brake beams, and more particularly to the truss type of beam disclosed in my Patent No. 2,206,676. I

It is among the objects ofthis invention to provide such a brake beam of improved construction which is stronger and more rigid than heretofore.

In accordance with this invention a brake beam is formed from a channel-like compression member having spaced top and bottom walls or flanges joined by a side wall or web. The distance between the longitudinal edges of the flanges at the end portions of the compression member is less than the height of the inside of the member. A brake head is disposed at each end of the compression member, and the two heads are connected by a tension rod the central portion of which is spaced from the compression by means of a strut. Each brake head is provided with a laterally projecting tongue extending into the adjoining end of the compression member intight engagement with it. Each head also is provided with vertical projections, preferably in the form .of integral ribs, outside the compression member for tightly engaging the longitudinal edges of its flanges which therefore are gripped between the tongue and ribs, The ends of the tension rod and the adjoining brake heads are provided with registering openings through which pins or rivets extend for connectingthem together.

The preferred embodiment of the invention .is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a fragmentary plan'view of my brake beam; Fig. 2 is an enlarged end view of the beam showing a brake head applying a shoe to a wheel; Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the brake head; Fig. 4 is a vertical section of the head and compression member taken on the line IV- IV of Fig. 1; Fig, 5 is a vertical section through the compression member taken on the lineV-V of Fig. 1; and Fig. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the brake head and adjoining portion of its compression member taken on the line VI-VI of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, a truss type brake beam is formed from a compression member I which carries at each end a brake head 2 to which the ends of a tension rod 3 are connected. The central portion of the tension member is spaced from the cambered compression member in the usual manner by a strut 4. The compression member is channel shape and has spaced top and bottom flanges 6 integrally joined by a web 1. The distance between the longitudinal edges of these flanges, at least at the end portions of the compression member, is less than the height of the inside of the compression member. Preferably,these ends portions are c shape in cross section as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

Each brake head is provided with a laterally projecting tongue 8 that extends into the adjoining end of the compression member and frictionally. engages its inner surface. Preferably, the end portions of the compression member walls diverge towards the ends of the member to provide diverging inner surfaces, and the brake head tongues converge towards their inner or free ends at substantially the same angle. The outer surfaceof each tongue conforms in general contour to theadjoining inner surface of the compression member, and these two elements are of such size as to require the tongue to be driven into the compression member, whereby a Wedge fit is provided. To further rigidly secure the head and compression member together, the head is provided with a shallow recess 9 at the base of the tongue for receiving the end of the compression member. Due to the cross sectional C-shapeof the end portions of the compression member, the brake head tongues are prevented from being forced out of the compression member through the space between the edges of its flanges,

After the heads have been driven into the ends of the compression member they are held in place by tension rod 3 to which they are connected. For this purpose the outer end of each head is provided with a pair of vertically spaced flat and parallel walls [0 that are substantially in line with the compression member. The outer ends of these walls are connected by an end Wall II that is integral with them as shown in Fig. 6. End wall H will prevent upper and lower walls Hi! from spreading apart. One end of the tension rod extends into each head and between walls H3 which are provided with aligned vertical openings 12 that register with a, similar opening through the endof the tension rod. A rivet or pin I3 is driven through these registering openings for connecting the head to the rod. The perforated end of the rod is upset and flattened to provide parallel upper and lower surfaces that engage the inner surfaces Illa of walls l0. The upset portion of the rod is slightly thicker than the body of the rod and is widened out to provide plenty of metal around the pin-receiving hole through it. With this type of connection between tension rod and brake heads the tension rod has no threads at the base of which cracks and fractures may occur, and the fastening pins H can serve as pivots relative to which the ends of the rod can turn to keep itself in proper alignment with the rest of the brake beam. Although this assembly of brake heads and compression member and tension rod generally provides a rigidconnection, sometimes, due to vibration and wear, or to imperfect fit originally, the heads tend to work loose in the compression member. To avoid this the head disclosed herein is provided in front of its tongue 8 with vertical projections l5 outside of the compression mem.

These ribs are located close enough to the tongue to provide, between ribs and tongue, recessesinto which the edges of the flanges seat snug y, as shown in Fig. 4. It will be seen that in addition to the tongue engaging the web. of the compression member and the inner surfaces of the flanges, the ribs l5 overlap the outer surfaces of the flanges and thereby more firmly clamp the tongue and compression member together. These ribs also help line up the brake heads with the compression member when they are assembled, and quickly and clearly show whether the heads are fitting properly in the compression member.

According to the provisions of the patent statutes, I have explained the principle and construction of my invention and have illustrated and described what I now consider to represent its best embodiment. However, I desire to have it understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.

I claim:

1. A brake beam comprising a. channel-like compression member having spaced top and bottom flanges joined by a web, the distance between the longitudinal edges of said flanges at the end portions of the member being less than the height of the inside of said member, a brake head disposed at each end of said member, and a tension rod connected to both heads, each head being provided with a laterally projecting tongue extending into the adjoining end of the compression member in tight engagement therewith, and said head being provided adjacent the outer end of the tongue with vertical projections outside the compression member engaging said edges of the flanges.

2-. A brake beam comprising a compression member having end portions substantially C- shape in cross section, a brake head disposed at each end of said member, and a tension rod connected to both heads, each head being provided with a laterally projecting tongue extending into the adjoining end of the compression member intight engagement therewith and with a shoeengaging portion outside of the open side of said member and said head having vertically spaced walls extending from the outer end portion of the tongue laterally thereof out of said open side of the compression member to connect the tongue with said shoe-engaging portion, said walls being provided with vertical projections outside the compression member engaging the longitudinal edges of the wall of said compression member.

3'. A brake beam comprising a compression member having end portionsv substantially C- shape. in cross section provided with inner surfaces diverging toward the adjacent ends of the member, a brake head disposed at each end of said member and provided with a laterally projecting tongue extending.- into the adjoining end of the compression member and with a shoeengaging portion outside of the open side of said member, the outer surface of said tongue. tap ering toward its inner end for engaging the surrounding diverging surface of said member with a wedge fit, and a tension rod connected to both heads to hold them in place, each head having vertically spaced walls, extending from the outer end portion of the tongue laterally thereof out of said open side of the compression member to connect the tongue with said shoe-engaging portion, said walls being provided outside the compression member with a pair of integral ribs projecting vertically therefrom and extending along the longitudinal edges of the wall of said member in tight engagement therewith for gripping said edges between them and said tongue.

4. A brake beam comprising a channel-like compression member having spaced top and bottom flanges joined by a web, the distance between the longitudinal edges of said flanges at the end portions of the member being less than the height of the inside of said member, a brake head disposed at each end of said member, and a tension rod connected to both heads, each end of said rod being provided with a single opening therethrough, the adjoining head being provided beyond the adjoining end of the compression member with openings registering with said rod opening, and a fastening member extending through said openings to connect the rod to the head, each head being provided with a laterally projecting tongue extending into the adjoining end of the compression member intight engagement therewith and said head being provided adjacent the outer-end portion of the tongue with vertical projections outside the compression member engaging said edges of the flanges.

5. A brake beam comprising a compression member, a brake head connected to each end of said member and provided beyond said end with vertically spaced walls projecting from the head substantially in line with the compression memher, said walls having vertical openings through them, a tension rod having ends extending into the brake heads and provided with a single vertical opening in each end, and a pin outside of the compression member and extending through the openings in each. head and the adjoining end of the tension rod to connect the rod to the heads.

6. A brake beam comprising a compression member, a brake head connected toeach end of sa'idmember and provided beyond said end with vertically spaced. fiat. walls projecting from the head substantially in line with the compression member, the: outer ends of said walls being joined by an end wall integral therewith, a tension rod having ends extending into the brake heads and; between said vertically spaced walls, each of said ends being enlarged and provided with flat upper and lower surfaces and with a single; vertical opening in each, and a fastening member outside of the compression member and extending through the openings in each head and the adjoining end of the tension rod to connect the rod to the heads.

FBEDERIC SCHAEFER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record inthe file of this patent:

UNITED: STATES PATENTS, 

